SXSW MP3 Torrent

Scripting News: 3/8/2005
Wired News: “For many years SXSW has provided on its website a library of free MP3s of bands participating in the conference. This year, the festival is making it even easier to listen by providing a huge BitTorrent file (2.6 GB) of more than 750 songs.” This is excellent for at least three reasons. 1. It’s great to get all this music. Not clear what terms it’s being offered under, though. Can it be used in podcasts? That’s pretty important. 2. It’s a non-infringing use of BitTorrent, thus helping assure BT’s future. 3. It’s something that a lot of people will download so the download rate should be very good. It’ll be interesting to see how high it goes.

There are a couple of things worth noting here. Dave’s analysis of why this is a Good Thing is spot on. P2P things like BitTorrent do have legit uses that often get lost in the screaming about piracy. I managed to download the file in less than 3 hours on Tuesday night over my Comcast cable connection. That’s right 2.4 gigabytes in less than 3 hours on a cable modem. That’s broadband and BitTorent for ya.

BTW, using BT to d/l 2.4 gig in < 3 hrs means that d/l DVD quality movies and TV shows is feasible, though I'd need to get that terabyte array online:)